Extension table



Dec. 29, 1942. E. c. BOOTH EXTENSION TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 OrigintlFiled March 6, 1941 I l nn IIIIIIIII II I! lllli. llllvi l 1| I l| .1 aH my y mm M N .P H

Dec. 29, 1942.

E. c. BOOTH EXTENSION TABLE Original Filed March 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Patented Dec. 29, 1942 UNITED STATES tit,

Ell FFIQE EXTENSION TABLE Earl C. Booth, Columbus, 11111., assigncr toNoblitt- Sparks Industries, Inc., Columbus, Ind, a corporation ofIndiana 4 Claims.

My invention relates to an extension table provided with a removablecenter leaf and has for its object the creation of a table suitable formanufacture from metal. Another object of my invention is to equip thetable with means for supporting the center leaf in an inconspicuousposition beneath the table when the latter is collapsed.

In carrying out my invention, I form the table of two generally similarsections slidably interconnected by suitable longitudinally extendingguides, the arrangement being such that the two sections can either bepushed directly together or separated from each other to provide for thereception of the center leaf between them. The center leaf is providedwith suspension means which projects downwardly when the center leaf isin use but which can be received between the two sections of the tablewhen the latter is collapsed to engage suitable provisions on the tableand hold the center leaf suspended beneath the table-top.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention: Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the table with the center leaf in lace; Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe table shown extended in full lines and collapsed in dotted lines;Fig, 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig.4 is a fragmental plan of the table in collapsed condition, portions ofthe construction being broken away to illustrate the means by which thecenter leaf is suspended; and Fig. 5 is a sectic-n on the line 55 ofFig. 4.

Details of the construction of the table shown in the accompanyingdrawings are more fully set 5 forth and described in my priorapplication Serial No. 382,003, filed March 6, 1941, of which thisapplication is a division. As brought out in that prior application,each section of the table embodies a sheet-metal top H] generallyrectangular in shape with its corners rounded. Along two sides andacross the outer end, the metal of the top H] is bent downwardly to forma continuous flange ll. Each section of the tabletop is stiffened andsupported by braces including an inner transverse brace I2, intermediatetransverse braces l3, and diagonal braces M (Fig, 4). Each section ofthe table includes a pair of legs I 5 located at the outer corners ofthe table-top.

The inner transverse brace I2 on each section of the table is desirablyof sheet metal formed in channel-section with the web of the channelextending vertically, as will be clear from Fig. 5.

At each end, the web of each brace I2 is provided 55 P0141801 in e110111; f the y,

with an integral ear I! which extends for a short distance along and issecured to the adjacent flange H on the table-top IO. Near the sides ofthe table, the inner and intermediate braces 12 and 53 are provided withalined flanged openings for the reception of tubular guide members I8 bymeans of which the two sections of the table are interconnected forsliding movement toward and away from each other.

For the table as thus described I provide an intermediate removableextension leaf 2!] which is shown in place in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. When inplace, the center leaf 2% is supported upon the guides it, as indicatedin Fig. 3, so that its upper face will be flush with the table-topsections l0.

Near the longitudinal center of the extension leaf 2%.? there aresecured at the sides thereof a pair of hook-like members designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 2! in Figs. 3 and 5. Each of thesemembers has a generally vertical shank 22, an inclined portion 23, and ahooked end 2%, as will be clear from Fig. 5. At points corresponding tothe spacing of the two hooks 2| on the center leaf, the inner braces 12on each section of the table are formed to provide opposed grooves orchannels 25 adapted, when the two sections of the table are forcedtogether to receive the shanks 22 of the members 2| in the mannerillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. At the upper end of each such groove orchannel, the reinforcing member l2 is pierced to provide an opening 26large enough to receive the hooked end 2 of the member 2|,

When the center leaf is removed from the table and before the twosections of the table are forced together, the center leaf is invertedbeneath the table, the hooks 24 on the member 2| are passed through theopenings 26 in one of the reinforcing members 12 and the two sections ofthe table are then forced together. Upon initial insertion of themembers 21 into the holes 25 the center leaf will be supported byengagement of the hooked end portions 24 on the members 22! with thelower edges of the holes 26. As the table-sections are forced together,however, the shanks 22 on the members 2| are struck by the other tablesection, which forces the inclined portions 23 of the members 2| intothe holes 26 and causes the center leaf to be drawn upwardly against thebottom of the table. When the two sections of the table are completelytogether, the shanks 22 of the members 2| are firmly seated in thegrooves 25 in the reinforcing members 52, and the center leaf is firmlysupthough accessible,

position. When it is desired to insert the center leaf, thetable-sections are separated. This frees the members 2! and permits thehooked ends 24 thereof to be disengaged from the holes 25, whereupon thecenter leaf may be removed from beneath the table and placed between thetwo table sections in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

Attention is directed to the fact that the insertion of the members 2|into the holes 26 and their removal from such holes is facilitated bythemclined portions 23. Because of these inclined portions the centerleaf lies closely against the under surface of the table top when thetablesections are collapsed but lies considerably below the undersurface of the table top when the tablesections are separated and it isdesired to disengage the hooks 24 from the lower edges of the holes 26.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an extensible sheet-metal table, two sections each including agenerally rectangular topportion provided with legs at its outer cornersand havinga depending flange along its sides and cuter end, aSheet-metalreinforcing member extending across the top-portion beneaththe inner *edge thereof, means interconnecting said sections forrelative sliding movement, a center leaf receivable between said twosections when they are extended, and a pair of suspending members on thelower side of said center leaf, each of said suspending members having ashank portion and a hooked end, at least one of said reinforcing shanksof said suspending members when the table is collapsed.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 with the addition that each ofsaid suspending members has an intermediate portion between its shankand its hooked end, said intermediate portion being inclined upwardlyfrom the shank to the hooked end when the center leaf is in invertedposition.

3. In an extension table having two sections slidably interconnected forrelative movement between an extended and a collapsed condition, each ofsaid sections having a top portion and legsat'theouterends thereof, acenter leaf insertable'between said top portions when the table isextended, and one or more suspending members secured to said leaf andprojecting downwardly therefrom, the adjacent edges of the top portionsof said two table sections having provisions for engaging saidsuspending members to hold saidcenter leaf suspended in invertedposition beneath the top sections when the table is collapsed.

4. In an extension table having two sections slidably interconnected forrelative movement between an extended and a collapsed condition, each ofsaid sections having a top portion and legs at the outer ends thereof, acenter leaf insertable between said top portions when the table isextended, one or more suspending members on the lower side of said leaf,and provisions on said two table sections co-operating with each otherto grip said suspending members to hold. said center leaf suspended ininverted position beneath the top sections when the table is coilapsed.

EARL C. BOOTH.

